[Zen]

OK, so I played my first game of WHFB ever and I got a few questions (mostly about magic):

1. Since my Slann's LoS is like being a Large Target, can I see any unit e.g. a Marauder Horsemen is in the front of Chaos Knights (thus blocking LoS for my Temple Guards), can I see the Chaos Knights??

2. I know you can't cast Magic Missiles at any unit in close combat but what about those spells that aren't Magic Missiles but have a Strength value?

3. How do you know who won in close combat and can you explain briefly how combat resolution works? C_V and I were literally dumbfounded by it.

[bloodfire]

1 yes he sees the Chaos Knights

2 Spells can only be cast into combat if the spell specifically says so (the rule should be in the magic rules before the lores somewhere)

3 the one who wins CC is the one with the highest combat resolution

scoring combat resolution
+1 for each unsaved wound caused (no limit except if there are no models for the enemy to remove a wound from)
+1 (to a maximum of 5) overkill (additional wounds caused in challenges)
+1 for outnumbering
+1 for each rank above the first which is at least 5 wide at the start of combat
and so on and so forth there are a couple more modifiers which can be found in the rulebook

Simple Example

A Unit of 5 Chaos Knights Charge a Block of 20 Skaven Slaves

with an LD of 5(2) the skaven fail their fear test but outnumber so hit on 6s
The Knights strike first and fluff their attacks and only kill 1 slave
the 4 slaves that strike back are very lucky and manage to kill a knight

Combat resolution
both have caused 1 wound
the Skaven outnumber
Neither unit has banners
The skaven have 4 ranks (so the first rank and 3 ranks behind it)
so 3 points for that

this results in the Knights losing by 4 which they will most likely fail.
yet an other victim to Static Combat resolution >.

Advanced example to come when I finish editing it.

Now for a far more complex encounter

a unit of 14 chosen on a hill with an Exalted Champion who is the Battle Standard of the Army get charged by
A unit of 15 Saurus in the Flank
And a Stegadon in the Front

it looks something like this
S
S S S G
S S S E C V C C
S S V C C C C C
S S S C C C C C
S S S

S = Saurus
V = Champions
C = Chosen
E = Exalted Champion
SG = Stegadon

Having the eye of the gods rule the Exalted Champion must challenge which the Saurus Champion Accepts

the Saurus choose to fight with spears and shield while the chosen use their Halberds

The Impact hits of the Stegadon Come First This results in 3 dead Chosen

The challenge happens next and Results in The Saurus Dying a Shift Death at the hands of an Exalted Champion with ASF and a Great Weapon (4 wounds caused so 1 wound a 3 overkill)

Next the normal attacks of the stegadon come but he fails to hit
The saurus in the first rank stab with their 8 attacks (no second rank on charge and the champion died in a challenge) this results in 1 dead chosen

now its time for the Chosen to Strike 2 attack the Saurus and kill 3
The Champion attacks the stegadon (rest can't attack due to the impact hits)
He does 1 wound on the stegadon

Time to Calculate the result (on the table we usualy use dice to keep count)
the Lizardmen Caused 4 wounds +4
the Lizardmen outnumber +1
the Lizardmen Have 2 ranks +2
the Lizardmen Have a Flank +1
Both units have a standard +/- 1
The Warriors of Chaos Caused 2 wounds -2
The Warriors of Chaos Caused 3 Overkill -3
The Warriors of Chaos Have the Higher ground -1
The Warriors of Chaos Have a BSB -1 +
--------
+2
so the lizard men have won the combat with 2 mainly thanks to their flank charge.

[Zen]

Ah, much thanks

OK, another one:

1. Can a Carnosuar-riding Oldbloob join a Cold One Cavalry?

2. If so, can the Carnosaur can be picked out in Shooting and/or Close Combat? (FYI: Carnosaur isn't a Large Target)

[bloodfire]

1 yes he can join them or any other unit which isn't a single monster, flying, chariot (rule page reference page 72 Big book)

2 it depends if the combined unit stenght of the Character and his mount is 5 or more he can be picked out (1 for character +1 for each wound the Carnosaur has)
I also remember something about different base sizes and being picked out but that could have been 6th edition

[MagicJuggler]

Actually, any non-magic missile spell can be cast into close combat unless the rules specify otherwise. This means that one CAN cast Rule of Burning Iron, Burning Head, Spirit of the Forge, and Cleansing Flare into close combats and they're not treated as shooting attacks.

[bloodfire]

Actually you are wrong in this though they try to confuse you with the magic missile rule.
On page 107 (Big Book) they state the following under the headline Casting Spells 6th point

"Wizards cannot cast spells at units engaged in close combat, unless the spell only affects the caster himself or the spells description specifies otherwise."